Cruise The Mediterranean

Starting in Athens, step aboard Le Bougainville for an 8-day cruise between Greece and the majestic Italian coast.

After the visit of Patmos, your ship will call at Sifnos in the Cyclades. Discover this harmonious island exploited since Antiquity for its gold and silver mines, offering gentle landscapes, mountains paths and a rich endemic flora. From the main port of Kamares, set off to the picturesque fortified village of Kastro, sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea.

You will then sail along the Corinth Canal before making your way to Katakolon. On the slopes of Mt Cronion, you can enjoy the unique experience of visiting the UNESCO World Heritage listed Olympus archaeological site.

In a setting of vegetation and colourful tropical flowers, of bougainvilleas and oleanders, in the shadow of the snow-topped peak of Mount Etna, Taormina casts a spell over all its visitors.

During your stop in Naples, one of the oldest cities in the world, visit the baroque churches, the romantic plazas and the ancient palaces. The host of monuments and landmarks bear witness to the richness of this city dominated by Mount Vesuvius, which stands over 1,000 metres tall.

You will continue to sail along the Italian coast to Civitavecchia, the final stop on your trip to these lands brimming with history.

Highlights

A cruise in partnership with le Mucem, the museum for European and Mediterranean Civilisations in Marseille.

A cruise from Greece to Rome with a high concentration of must-see historical and archaeological ports of call.

Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis in Athens, the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, the Olympia site from Katakolon, Mount Etna from Taormina and its Greek theatre, Pompeii from Naples, Delphi from Itea, Rome from the disembarkation port in Civitavecchia.

LE BOUGAINVILLE

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the third ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bougainville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Port of call & excursions

Athens

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic Art Museum.

19 May 2020 – Patmos

Arrival 19/05/2020 midday. Departure 19/05/2020 evening.

Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint-John-the-Theologian Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas. You’ll be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.

20 May 2020 – Kamares, Sifnos

Nestling in the Cyclades, the harmonious and much less crowded island of Sifnos is home to many treasures. Exploited since antiquity for its gold and silver mines, this little-known pearl boasts gentle landscapes and is a botanical paradise. The rich endemic flora can be admired along the island’s mountain paths that have been trodden for thousands of years. From the main port of Kamares, set off to discover the nearby sandy beach which runs along a lagoon and whose dunes are covered in sea daffodils. The picturesque fortified village of Kastro is another of the island’s wonders. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, this spot, where people have lived since prehistoric times, is very much an open-air museum.

21 May 2020 – Crossing the Corinth Canal

Arrival 21/05/2020. Departure 21/05/2020.

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

21 May 2020 – Itea

Arrival 21/05/2020 midday. Departure 21/05/2020 early evening.

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.

22 May 2020 – Katakolon

Arrival 22/05/2020 early morning. Departure 22/05/2020 midday.

This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons to feast your eyes on. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.

23 May 2020 – Taormina, Sicily

Arrival 23/05/2020 midday. Departure 23/05/2020 early evening.

Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval centre, suspended 300 metres above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.

24 May 2020 – Naples

Arrival 24/05/2020 midday. Departure 24/05/2020 late afternoon.

More Italian than Italy itself, Naples is the capital of the beautiful region of Campania, and is an unusual city to say the least. Its gulf, dominated by Vesuvius, is one of the world’s marvels. Built by the Greeks and then occupied by the Romans, the city has retained the memory of antiquity, as Castell dell’Ovo illustrates. But Naples has another side to it with its hustle and bustle, narrow streets, clothes hung out to dry at windows, Caravaggio paintings on the walls of a church, and incessant rumour in an sleepless city. This is a head-spinning city to visit and savour: don’t forget to eat a slice of pizza Margherita.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

Disembarkation 25/05/2020 at 08H00 .

Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.

Formalities

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, PONANT will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Theme

ART AND LITERATURE

Because we firmly believe that there are many different ways to travel, we are inviting you to join us on one of our Art cruises or Literature cruises and to enhance your trip with a rich cultural programme.

Your cultural explorations on land

Choosing a themed cruise with PONANT means setting sail on an itinerary punctuated by unique ports of call. Our Art cruises and Literature cruises combine the pleasures of travel by sea with the discovery of emblematic sites in cities famous for the richness of their architecture and heritage.

During your different visits, you will enjoy special moments immersed in art and culture. Promising exclusive discoveries, personalised programmes and private performances, these cruises have special experiences in store for you in prestigious locations.

Knowledge-sharing on board

Aboard our luxurious, smaller-sized yachts, you will meet other travellers who share your passion. High-profile lecturers and artists will also be joining us on these cruises. As we sail across the oceans, you will be able to experience special moments between lecturers and enthusiasts.

Throughout your Art or Literature cruise, our special guests will present unique lectures in keeping with the chosen theme. They will talk about different art-related themes, such as a period, a movement or famous artists, or topics relating to literature, such as politics, society, history etc.

Guest(s) Lecturer(s)

Myriame Morel-Deledalle

General Commissioner. Head curator, head of the History section of MuCEM

She managed the Marseille History Museum from its inception in 1983 until 2007 and has helped to run many other museums including those in Cartagena and El Jem in Tunisia. From 2007 to 2010, she was head of the Culture Department of Senghor University, based in Alexandria. Since 2011, she has been curator of the Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MuCEM)

Her presence aboard Le Bougainville will offer a unique opportunity to talk to her.

Language spoken: French

Photo credit: Yves Inchierman

Adrien Joly

Resources Development Director of MuCEM

After graduating with a degree in History from the University of Sussex and a Masters in the Arts And Cultural Professions from the University of Lyon II, Adrien Joly started his career in museums in the UK, in Brighton, working as a guide, in charge of interpretation at the museum. In this role, he gave a number of conferences on historical subjects that were as varied as they were specialised.

His fluent English meant that Adrien was recruited by the Chateau of Versailles to manage international patronage. He joined the MuCEM team in 2011, working to ensure the success of the opening and developing the Museum’s resources.

Language spoken: French,English

Credit photo: ARR

Bernard Morel

Emeritus Professor of Universities. Economist, he devoted the first part of his work to the economic and social forecast, and more particularly to the relations between long-term forecasts and short-term forecasts. His state thesis, was entitled: "Prospective and Conjuncture - Methodological study”. In a second time, he devoted his work to the geographical economy - and more particularly to the regional economy - and to regional planning and urban planning. While giving lectures in many universities as a Senior Lecturer, Bernard Morel led a political career, first as Chief of Staff to the President of the PACA Region (1998-2001), then as a member of the Economic Council and Regional Social PACA (2007-2010) of which he chaired the prospective section. He was also councilor (1st sector of Marseille) and vice-president of the Urban Community of Marseille from 2008 to March 2013. Vice-President of the Regional Council from 2010 to 2015, for employment and economic development. From 2014 to 2015, he was the President of the Euroméditerranée in Marseille. He is the author or co-author of 17 books and about a hundred articles.

Language spoken: French

Photo credit: ARR

Emilie Girard

Chief curator, Emilie Girard joined the MuCEM team in 2006. In 2008, she became head of the museum's collections department, where she led, among other things, the building site that enabled the transfer from Paris to Marseille of the entire collections and funds kept, and the establishment of the Mucem Conservation and Resource Center, which she leads today. Since 2016, she is also in charge of the "Beliefs and Religions" section of the museum, in connection with her initial training in Christian archeology and Coptic language. For several years, she has been organizing professional training courses, particularly on religious heritage, and is also a regular curator of exhibitions at Mucem (such as the Galerie de la Méditerranée in 2013, Food in 2014, A genius without a pedestal, Picasso and the arts and popular traditions in 2016 and Let’s dance in 2019).